[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 73 (Friday, April 17, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E369]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    ONGOING TRANSATLANTIC ENGAGEMENT THROUGH THE OSCE PARLIAMENTARY 
                                ASSEMBLY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD HUDSON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 17, 2020

  Mr. HUDSON. Madam Speaker, I rise to today to update my Congressional 
colleagues on continued discussions between members of the Organization 
for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly. 
I would also like to share the desire of our international friends and 
allies to remain engaged with the United States during these 
challenging times.
  My colleagues who serve with me on the U.S. Helsinki Commission and 
remain active include Representative Alcee Hastings of Florida, 
Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina, Representative Steve Cohen 
of Tennessee, Representative Robert Aderholt of Alabama, Representative 
Gwen Moore of Wisconsin, Representative Chris Smith of New Jersey, as 
well as Senator Wicker of Mississippi and Senator Cardin of Maryland. 
As the United States Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, we 
recognize the importance of building partnerships with our counterparts 
from other countries especially during such unprecedented times.
  As the Chairman of the Committee on Security, I recognize 
multilateral diplomacy works to U.S. interests when we take the 
initiative. Parliamentarians have a special role to play as elected 
officials in this process, showing the depth of each of our country's 
commitment to security and cooperation not only in Europe, but around 
the globe.
  During our most recent video conference, Italian Minister for 
European Affairs, Vincenzo Amendola, joined to update us on Italy's 
response to COVID-19. He stressed the need for continued cooperation in 
response not only to the health threat but also to the economic havoc 
the pandemic has caused.
  Shortly after our video conference concluded, Secretary of State Mike 
Pompeo announced the United States will provide an additional $225 
million in health, humanitarian and economic assistance to boost 
response efforts worldwide. This is in addition to the $274 million 
already deployed to fight COVID-19. In the past two decades, the 
Secretary noted, the United States has provided $140 billion in health 
assistance globally, helping to make us an undisputed leader in health 
and humanitarian aid. Some of this aide has been to countries in 
Europe, including Italy. I would add that this is not only a reflection 
of our country's unmatched generosity over the decades, but our 
national interest as well. Many of the health threats we have faced 
come from beyond our borders, including COVID-19, and we have an 
interest in trying to respond effectively to those threats where they 
first develop, before they reach our shores.
  A final outcome of the recent video conference was endorsement of 
United Nation Secretary General Antonio Guterres' recent call for a 
ceasefire regarding conflicts around the globe at this time when 
countries need to face a common pandemic threat.
  The Helsinki Commission provides Members of Congress with the 
opportunity to work with our friends and allies around the globe to 
promote our shared democratic values and work in a bipartisan fashion 
on core foreign policy issues. While our calls have been focused on 
fighting COVID-19 we are still tracking other international conflicts. 
For example, during the video conference I, along with other 
parliamentarians, raised the issue of the unwarranted Russian 
aggression in Ukraine and Georgia. I am encouraged by the level of 
engagement from my OSCE Parliamentary Assembly colleagues and will 
continue to work with them through this global pandemic.
  Madam Speaker, please join me today in recognizing the importance of 
these discussions with our European allies and friends.

                          ____________________